Health

Talent show spotlights those with special needs BY VIKKI ORTIZ HEALY | CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Mia Strayer, 21, who is visually impaired and has cerebral palsy, smiles after finishing a glissando during a concert harp lesson at her instructor's home in Machesney Park, Illinois, on Friday, October 26, 2012. Strayer, who has been playing the harp for seven years, is one of nine contestants participating in Special Talents America in Naperville. (Keri Wiginton/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

Three times, Mia Strayer asked her parents if she could take harp lessons. Each time, the parents told the young girl with cerebral palsy, "No."

"She's blind completely in one eye and barely sees out of the other eye," said her mother Patricia Strayer, 59. "We just didn't know if she could master that."

Thankfully, the fourth time Mia asked, her parents bought her an Irish harp and found a teacher. Today, the 21-year-old proudly performs before blind groups, at family gatherings and wherever else she can showcase her talent. Most of the time, she brings her audiences to tears.

Mia's tenacity and gifts made her an obvious choice as a contestant at this year's Special Talents America. The stage competition in Naperville, Ill., is quickly becoming the highlight of the year for families across the region caring for a special needs child.

A blend of TV's "America's Got Talent" and the Special Olympics, the competition pits talented people with disabilities against each other before an audience that numbers in the hundreds.

The show's organizers are quick to point out these contestants have reservoirs of talent that many would envy. Some have performed the National Anthem at major league ball games. Others are well-known regulars at local dance studios and music halls.

The show has attracted the support of Chicago-area celebrities including Jim Peterik, co-author of the iconic anthem "Eye of the Tiger" from "Rocky III."

The idea behind it is to offer talented people with disabilities a spotlight for their often overlooked skills. Another goal is to inspire audiences with their stories.

Held at Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center, Comcast will air the performance on Illinois community stations.

"These are people that are oftentimes taken for granted and not given opportunities," said Greg Bizzaro, co-founder and co-producer of the show. "People will be so blown away by what really is out there."

Bizzaro, a professional videographer, realized the need for such a venue after spending more than a decade shooting video for Special Olympics. Although impressed by the athletes, he wondered why there weren't established contests for disabled people with other interests.

"There was nothing out there on any big scale for people who didn't like sports but had abilities in other areas," he said.

Bizzaro suggested his concept to officials at the Western Du Page Special Recreation Association, where he already volunteered, teaching a video production class.

Bizzaro and recreation association officials produced a small show in 2007 open to local residents.

By 2010, mainly through word of mouth, it had grown to include contestants from nine special recreation districts across Illinois with an audience of about 250 people.

Since then, buzz about the competition has continued to spread.

Organizers received 36 video auditions from across the U.S. for this year's performance. The contestants sang, danced and played instruments in ways that deeply moved organizers who have worked with special needs for decades, said Jorie Meyer, the event's co-founder and co-producer.

"That's why I love what I do," Meyer said. "People with disabilities amaze me with what they can do."

A committee selected the nine contestants based on their level of performance, stage presence and ability to perform before an audience.

Organizers said they insisted on high-caliber talent because they want the performers to attract the kind of national attention that will allow the show to grow even more. They also decided to have first, second and third place trophy winners with no token awards.

"These are people who want to be treated like everyone else," said Bizzaro. "So we're trying to really do that with this show, but also to celebrate them."

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